Andrew Ladd was born December 12, 1985 in Maple Ridge, B.C. The first round, fourth overall selection of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Ladd is a graduate of the WHL.
An offensively gifted forward, Ladd honed his skills in the BCAHA before moving on to the BCHL in 2002-03. Following a strong season with Coquitlam of the BCHL, Ladd, who had made his WHL debut in 2001-02 playing one game with the Vancouver Giants suited up for the Calgary Hitmen in 2003-04. Over the course of the next two seasons Ladd was one of the club's more productive forwards, registering 120 points (49-71-120).
In the fall of 2005, Ladd made his professional debut with the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters prior to making his NHL debut later on that season with the Carolina Hurricanes. After splitting most of the season between both clubs, Ladd remained with the Hurricanes during the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs. Ladd was one of the many young stars on a Carolina Hurricane team that captured the Stanley Cup in 2006. In his second full season in Carolina, Ladd established a career high in games played (65), goals (11), assists (10) and points (21).
He followed up his career year by recording 18 points in 43 games in his 2007-08 season with the Canes, and was later dealt to the Blackhawks at the NHL trading deadline.
The 2009-10 season would end triumphantly for Ladd and the Blackhawks when they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in six games to capture the club's first Stanley Cup championship since 1961. It was the second cup for the young forward.
Ladd's windy city celebration would be short-lived however. With the Blackhawks anxious to create salary cap room, Ladd was traded to Atlanta in exchange for Ivan Vishnevskiy and a second round draft pick on July 1, 2010.
